indoor air pollution

PM2.5

cooking styles

ventilation conditions

health risk assessment

Toxic substances

Human health risk assessment

Heavy metals contamination of air

Hazards to human health

To analyze physicochemical characteristics of PM_2.5 from indoor cooking and to assess their health risks, the particulate concentrations and chemical compositions of indoor PM_2.5 under two cooking styles and four ventilation conditions were investigated in Northeastern China. The inhaled carcinogenic risks and non-carcinogenic risks of the heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were calculated, respectively. Our results showed that the cooking method of deep-frying produced higher concentrations of PM_2.5 than stir-frying, and the usage of window ventilation was faster than fresh air system (FAS) to decrease concentrations of indoor PM_2.5. The proportions of chemical components of indoor PM_2.5 were only associated with cooking styles but not with ventilation conditions. The proportion in BbF, BaA, FL, Pyr of PAHs components and Cu, Cr, Pb of heavy metals in panseared fish were higher than that of stir-fried pork with cabbage. The total inhaled non-carcinogenic risks of heavy metals and PAHs are both below the safety level, but the health risks analysis indicated that heavy metals released from both cooking methods had potential adverse effects on human health. Therefore, we recommend that reducing deep-frying, enabling window ventilation and closing the kitchen door as the first choice for controlling indoor air pollution during the process of cooking in Northeastern China.